Lahore: Iran has said it would implement the Iran-India-Pakistan (IPI) transnational gas pipeline project with Pakistan if India failed to take a decision by the end of next month.
Iranian Deputy Oil Minister Mohammad Hadi Nejad Hosseinian said India had shown its interest to be a part of the multi-billion dollar project and Iran was discussing the issue with Indian authorities.
"India is keen to be part of the multi-billion dollar project. So far, we have not received any indication that India is stepping out of the project. We will implement it with Pakistan if India does not take any decision by May end," the Daily Times quoted Hosseinian as saying.
Hosseinian said India would be welcomed whenever it wanted to join the project.
Federal Petroleum secretary Ahmad Waqar, who held talks with the visiting Iranian delegation, said: “We have discussed pricing formula in talks. The issue will be discussed in oil ministers’ meeting in Tehran most likely in June if we fail to reach an agreement here.
Waqar said Pakistan had sent a draft pricing formula to Iran, adding he “hopeful that Iran, Pakistan and India would finalise all aspects in two months”.
India, Pakistan and Iran are the three parties to the 2008-km long IPI transnational gas pipeline project. The three have decided to go ahead with the project even as Washington has expressed his discontent, as it is opposed to any deal with Iran over its controversial nuclear programme.
Comments
0 comment